Feeling Alone during Social Distancing

Yes, it’s been great to work from home or Netflix and chill for the last couple of weeks. But for anyone feeling a little down, a little confused, a little angry at the need to isolate and social distance, just wanted to remind you that it’s okay and normal to feel like this!

Humans are social creatures of habit. All of a sudden, we are thrusted into an immediate directive to change our daily routine, stop being around others, and are told that our friends and families and ourselves are our biggest threat. What started off as “cool, we get to stay gone!” may now start turning into feelings that we may not want to acknowledge.

“We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others’ activities. For this reason, it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.” ~Dalai Lama XIV

💕 Find other ways to be “social”. Seen the virtual meeting trends lately? Join them! Virtual work out. Virtual social hour. Virtual worship!

💕 Talk about how you’re feeling to understand what triggered feelings of loneliness, Blue, sadness. If not verbally with a trusted friend or family, journal it!

💕 Create new routines. Can’t go to that yoga class anymore? Choose a class you like on YouTube and do it regularly. Do a two-week YouTube workout challenge to stay on track. Challenge your friends to do it with you.

💕 Your Zoom sesh does not have to be perfect! (I’ve been wearing the same shirt for the past five Zoom meetings.) If you’re talking to a friend on the phone, just ask them to Facetime instead so you can see each other. Sometimes that visual human connection makes a difference.

💕 Remember that this is only temporary and that we will soon change our ways again. But don’t expect everything to go back to normal. The only constant thing we know is change.

One thing is for sure, you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way.